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Starting at $86,000, the BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe takes performance, luxury, and tech to the next level.
The BMW 8-Series is among the most refined and well-designed vehicles in its class. This time around, BMW turns up the heat with the 2023 8-Series Gran Coupe lineup, which retains a cool exterior styling, luxurious cabin, and a reasonable fuel economy. Joining the family is the M8 competition trim option with a potent engine and more attractive performance numbers. Based on the 8 Series Coupe, the 8 Series Gran Coupe starts at an estimated $86, 000 price tag and welcomes two additional doors while retaining the spirited BMW handing and sleek roofline shape. The 2023 model receives a massive frontal makeover with a light styling refresh and a new artistic edition.
The Gran Coupe has so much to offer. Behind the aggressive grille of the 840i model, the entry-level model, is a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine that either feeds the rear wheels or all wheels with a decent 335 horsepower at 6500 RPM and 368 lb.-ft of torque at 1600 RPM. There is also an optional 4.4-liter V-8 BMW M TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine on the 840i, which comes standard in the new M8 Competition trim, generating an impressive 612 hp and 590 lb.-ft. It also comes standard with the M-sport exhaust system, and the M sport brakes with blue calipers. The 8-Series also offers an M850i xDrive convertible option for buyers who want a more distinct driving experience.
Besides the 840i and the M850i xDrive and the M8 Competition model, customers can also have the new Gran Coupe in the $144,900 Alpina B8 trim, which pretty much looks like the 840i. There is also the $350,995 X Jeff Koons trim, styled by a famed American artist and is available in limited numbers. The 8-Series Gran Coupe has stiff competition for the 2023 model year, which includes the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door, the Audi RS7, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, and the iconic Porsche Panamera.
Let’s take a closer look at the interior of the 2023 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe and discuss the cabin design, space, technology features and luxury enhancements.
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The inside of the 2023 8-Series Gran Coupe is outstanding, with a design that achieves a balance between elegance and driving pleasure with driver-oriented dynamic performance. It combines forward-facing lines, individual luxury, and modern aesthetics, all illuminated by unique ambient lighting with gleaming contours that spread from the dashboard to the rear via the door sills. Between the driver and the front passenger seat is a wide console that not only offers extra practicality by separating the driver and passenger but also spices up the cabin with a sporty appeal.
Like the standard M850i xDrive Coupe, the M850i Gran Coupé model comes with an M leather-padded steering wheel, which features a model-specific center spoke design as well as distinctive decorative stitching in the BMW M GmbH colors.
With its 119.0-inch wheelbase, the grand coupe offers a reasonably spacious cabin, with a total passenger volume of 97 cubic feet. While the coupe’s cargo area is limited to 14.8 cubic feet, the Grand Coupe can haul an additional 0.7 cubic feet, which isn’t much but is still remarkable for the luxury sports car class. Both the Coupe and Gran Coupe models come with there are two rear seats, which is better than the bench seat in most of its competitors. The result here is that each seat has a distinct character and upholstery.
While the 8 Series coupe and convertible cabins only have four seats, the Gran Coupe has an extra fifth seat for an extra passenger, and it too has its unique style and seatbelt system.
The seats themselves come standard with Merino leather upholstery on all trims. The front occupants will enjoy the spacious front cabin and the power-adjustable and heated seats with available heat settings for the front armrests as well. But because of the roofline, the rear occupants get a more confining headroom. It makes up for this with extended legroom that’s enough for even the taller folks.
There is a plethora of optional features for the cabin, like performance front seats, heated rear seats, manual rear side-window sunshades, full M carbon front bucket seats, and ventilated front seats for anyone who can shell out over some extra bucks.
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Like the BMW 8-Series Coupé and the Convertible trim, the new 2023 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupé comes standard with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a huge 12.3-inch instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and the iDrive infotainment system screen, which, for the 2023 model year, has grown diagonally from 10.25 inches to 12.3 inches, with a highly responsive touch feedback, voice control as well as the optional gesture controls.
The Infotainment system comes standard with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, the special BMW-mapped online-based navigation system, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay. However, Android Auto isn’t available. The Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo system provides a decent listening experience, but buyers can also opt for the over-the-top Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.
Wilfred Nkhwazi is a screenwriter, actor, and sports car enthusiast from Blantyre, Malawi. He has written 2 feature films and a thriller trilogy. Wilfred is pursuing an Electric Car Technology program and spends a lot of his time writing for hotcars.com, penning down fast whips, celebrity collections, and everything else in-between. When he isn't writing, he loves to take long drives around the city, make music, and drink hot chocolate.